Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest – 3 talking points as Gunners begin season in style

Arsenal got their Premier League season off to a winning start, defeating Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. First-half goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka sent them on their way.

Arsenal were dominant from the outset, but it took a little while for Mikel Arteta’s side to find their groove. Once they did it was game over.

Nketiah opened the scoring after some outrageous skill from Gabriel Martinelli sent the striker through in space and he lashed home his shot past Matt Turner.

Just six minutes later, Saka doubled Arsenal’s lead with a spectacular curling effort that left the entire Emirates Stadium stunned.

The second half was a snooze fest until Forest set the game alight with just over 10 minutes remaining as Anthony Elanga sprung a superb counter-attack and drove the length of the field before crossing to Taiwo Awoniyi who got the visitors’ first goal of their league campaign.

The remaining minutes were nervy as Forest pushed for an equaliser, but Arsenal held on to start the league season in style.

3 talking points as Gunners begin season in style

The game provided plenty of talking points; here they are.

1. Arsenal off to a winning start

It was easy at the start, and then Arsenal made things far harder than they needed to, but in the end, three points are three points.

A win was the perfect way to begin the new Premier League season as Arsenal matched Manchester City’s win from the night before.

The game was far closer than it needed to be as Arsenal was by far the better side and dominated the majority of the game. There will be plenty of teachings for Mikel Arteta out of this one, but the most important thing was getting the season off on the right foot.

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